UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi blasted the US Ambassador to United Nations Nikki Haley for her allegations against Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism.

In a statement in response to Ms Haley’s remarks, Ms Lodhi reminded her of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

“We have contributed and sacrificed the most in fighting international terrorism and carried out the largest counter-terrorism operation anywhere in the world,” she said.

Ms Lodhi said that “the US spokespersons should not shift the blame for their own mistakes and failures onto others”.

She also told the US Ambassador Haley: “We can review our cooperation if it is not appreciated. Pakistan’s cooperation is not based on any consideration of aid but on our national interests and principles.”

APP adds: At her press conference on Tuesday, Haley said “Pakistan has played a double game for years. They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan. That game is not acceptable to this administration”.

She said she saw “clear reasons” for withholding the US aid to Pakistan, adding that the US move was not connected to Pakistan’s UN General Assembly vote last month opposing the United States on the issue of recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

On Monday, Trump claimed that the US had given Pakistan $33 billion, but got no cooperation in return, a statement rejected by Islamabad.

“The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!” Trump tweeted.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2018